TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates to the field of millimeter-wave communications technologies,
and in particular, to a channel resource allocation method and apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As emerging services such as VR (virtual reality, virtual reality) and high-definition
video develop and a quantity of access devices increases, an existing wireless communications
technology gradually cannot meet a high bandwidth requirement. Therefore, the industry
focuses on millimeter-wave communication because there is a grant-free spectrum up
to dozens of GHz in a millimeter-wave communication field. In addition, as shown in
FIG. 1, in the United States, the European Union, and Japan, 57 GHz to 66 GHz frequency
bands are classified into contiguous grant-free spectrums. However, because of a physical
property of a millimeter wave, a loss in a path transmission process is very large.
For example, a path loss of a 60 GHz millimeter wave in free space is 21 dB more than
a path loss of a 5 GHz frequency band. In addition, limited by a very short wavelength,
the millimeter wave is greatly affected by a block in practice.
[0003] To compensate for a large amount of loss of the millimeter wave in a transmission
process, a transmit/receive antenna array is mainly designed in a solution in the
millimeter-wave communication field in the industry. Energy is concentrated in a specific
direction through beamforming of the antenna array, to compensate for the transmission
loss by using a relatively high antenna gain. However, in addition to an advantage
of the high antenna gain, the antenna array and the beamforming also bring some constraints.
For example, if a sending party and a receiving party need to concentrate the energy
in a relatively narrow direction, beamforming directions of the sending party and
the receiving party need to be first aligned before communication. In addition, because
beamforming is highly directional, a transmission path between the sending party and
the receiving party needs to be unblocked.
[0004] However, in practice, it is usually inevitable that the transmission path is blocked.
If a current transmission path is blocked or faulty, a system needs to reselect a
path, and complete switching to the path and data transmission. In the path switching
process, a disastrous delay may be brought to an upper-layer service and quality of
service of a user is affected.
SUMMARY
[0005] This application provides a channel resource allocation method, which is applied
to a millimeter-wave communications field in which beamforming is implemented, and
is used to reduce a high delay caused by transmission path switching.
[0006] According to a first aspect, this application provides a channel resource allocation
method. The method includes the following steps: establishing, by a first network
device, at least two links between the first network device and a second network device,
where each link supports beamforming data transmission; obtaining, by the first network
device, a millimeter-wave radio channel resource between the first network device
and the second network device; dividing the radio channel resource into a plurality
of slots, where each slot is used for data transmission on one link, and two adjacent
slots correspond to two different links; and transmitting, by the first network device,
data on a corresponding link in the plurality of slots.
[0007] According to the method provided in this aspect, the first network device divides
the millimeter-wave radio channel resource into a plurality of slots, and different
slots are used for data transmission on different links. Therefore, when it is detected
that a link at a current moment is faulty, data may be transmitted by using a next
slot, so that the link is quickly switched to a link that is not faulty. In this way,
a process of link reselection, switching, and connection establishment is avoided,
a delay caused by link switching is reduced, and quality of service of a user is improved.
[0008] In addition, when a fault occurs, compared with a manner in which time-frequency
resources of an entire radio channel are allocated to one link for data transmission,
in the method in this aspect, a link can be quickly switched to change a direction
of beamforming by using a divided slot, so that the time-frequency resources corresponding
to the entire link are not wasted due to a fault. According to the method, a delay
is reduced and a time-frequency resource of a system is saved at the same time.
[0009] With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation of the first aspect, a process
in which the first network device divides the radio channel resource into a plurality
of slots includes: dividing, by the first network device, the channel resource into
a plurality of slots in a time division duplex TDD manner.
[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in another implementation of the first aspect,
the transmitting, by the first network device, data on a corresponding link in the
plurality of slots includes: determining, by the first network device, an optimal
link in the at least two links; and sending, by the first network device, first information
in a slot corresponding to the optimal link, where the first information is used to
perform channel estimation and data monitoring on the optimal link, and sending second
information in a slot corresponding to a link other than the optimal link, where the
second information is used to maintain a heartbeat.
[0011] In this implementation, the first network device transmits important data on the
optimal link, for example, the first information, and sends the second information
on another sub-optimal link, so as to maintain transmissibility of each link. In this
way, when the optimal link is faulty subsequently, the first network device can link
to another link in a timely manner.
[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the method further includes: obtaining, by the first network device, reference
information of the second network device, where the reference information includes
at least one of the following: a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet loss rate, channel
state information CSI, a channel quality indicator CQI, a data packet transmission
delay, and quality of service QoS at a system layer and an application layer; and
adjusting, by the first network device based on the reference information, a length
of a slot allocated to each link.
[0013] In this implementation, when a fault occurs, a beamforming link is quickly switched
by changing a slot, to avoid reselecting a link to reestablish a connection, so that
an upper-layer service can be maintained continuously and without interruption. In
addition, the first network device dynamically adjusts time-frequency resources of
links in different beamforming directions by using the reference information, so that
a system delay can be reduced, thereby improving quality of service.
[0014] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the obtaining reference information of the second network device includes:
obtaining, by the first network device, the reference information by negotiating with
the second network device; or obtaining the reference information by using a monitoring
result of quality of each link. In addition, the reference information may be obtained
in another manner. This is not limited in this application.
[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the at least two links include a first link and a second link; and the adjusting,
by the first network device based on the reference information, a length of a slot
allocated to each link includes: determining, by the first network device based on
the reference information, that when the first link is faulty, a slot allocated to
the first link is changed to a slot corresponding to the second link.
[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the establishing, by a first network device, at least two links between the
first network device and a second network device includes: broadcasting, by the first
network device, a first message, where the first message includes capabilities of
a plurality of beamforming links supported by the first network device; receiving,
by the first network device, a response message fed back by the second network device
based on the first message; and establishing, by the first network device, the at
least two links to the second network device based on the response message.
[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the second network device includes at least two virtual second network devices;
and the establishing, by a first network device, at least two links between the first
network device and a second network device includes: establishing, by the first network
device, a link between the first network device and each virtual second network device.
[0018] In this implementation, the second network device forms a plurality of virtual network
devices such as STAs by extending a plurality of MAC addresses. These virtual network
devices appear as different devices for the first network device such as an AP. At
an AP link layer, the AP and a plurality of virtual STAs separately train links. Therefore,
code at the AP link layer does not need to be changed, so that the AP link layer can
be quickly compatible with an existing standard, to maintain barrier-free communication
between the AP and each virtual STA.
[0019] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the first network device includes at least one antenna array; and the transmitting,
by the first network device, data on a corresponding link in the plurality of slots
includes: transmitting, by the first network device, data by using one antenna array,
or transmitting data to the second network device by using two or more antenna arrays,
where a transmission mechanism between the two or more antenna arrays includes time
division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, code division multiplexing,
and spatial multiplexing.
[0020] In this implementation, single antenna array transmission and multi-group antenna
array transmission may be combined to transmit data in a switching manner, so as to
establish a multi-link redundancy backup between the first network device and the
second network device, thereby improving link quality, such as an SNR and robustness.
[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in still another implementation of the first
aspect, the foregoing method further includes: broadcasting, by the first network
device, a second message, where the second message includes a capability for tracing
a plurality of beams supported by the first network device; receiving, by the first
network device, a response message fed back by the second network device based on
the second message; and tracing, by the first network device, the link based on the
response message.
[0022] In this implementation, the first network device implements dynamic tracing of a
plurality of links by using the capability for tracing a plurality of beams supported
by the first network device, and maintains transmissibility of the links, so as to
prepare for fast link switching.
[0023] According to a second aspect, this application further provides a channel resource
allocation apparatus. The apparatus includes units or modules configured to perform
the method steps in the implementations of the first aspect. Further, the apparatus
includes an obtaining unit, a processing unit, a sending unit, and the like. Specifically,
the apparatus may be configured in a first network device such as an AP.
[0024] According to a third aspect, this application further provides a channel resource
allocation method. The method may be applied to a second network device such as a
STA. Specifically, the method includes: establishing, by a second network device,
at least two links between the second network device and a first network device, where
each link supports beamforming data transmission; and communicating with the first
network device based on the at least two established links.
[0025] With reference to the third aspect, in another implementation of the third aspect,
the method further includes: receiving, by the second network device, information
from the first network device; and sending a response message to the first network
device based on the information, so as to maintain transmissibility of the plurality
of links.
[0026] With reference to the third aspect, in still another implementation of the third
aspect, maintaining transmissibility of the plurality of links includes: receiving,
by the second network device, first information from the first network device, where
the first information is used to perform channel estimation and data monitoring on
an optimal link; and on another link, receiving second information from the first
network device, where the second information includes a preamble or a heartbeat packet/heartbeat
frame used to maintain a heartbeat.
[0027] With reference to the third aspect, in still another implementation of the third
aspect, the method further includes: generating, by the second network, reference
information, where the reference information includes at least one of the following:
a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet loss rate, channel state information CSI, a
channel quality indicator CQI, a data packet transmission delay, and quality of service
QoS at a system layer and an application layer; and sending the reference information
to the first network device.
[0028] With reference to the third aspect, in still another implementation of the third
aspect, the method further includes: virtualizing, by the second network device, a
plurality of network devices, such as STAs, and simultaneously training/tracing a
plurality of links by using a virtualization technology. Further, the second network
device extends a plurality of MAC addresses, each MAC address corresponds to one virtual
STA, and each virtual STA can identify different data streams from each other, and
externally appears as a plurality of different STAs.
[0029] With reference to the third aspect, in still another implementation of the third
aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the second network device, a second
message from the first network device, generating a feedback response message based
on the second message, and sending the response message to the first network device,
so as to implement beam tracing and slot allocation of each link by the first network
device.
[0030] According to a fourth aspect, this application further provides a channel resource
allocation apparatus. The apparatus includes units or modules configured to perform
the method steps in the implementations of the third aspect. Further, the apparatus
includes a receiving unit, a processing unit, a sending unit, and the like. Specifically,
the apparatus may be configured in a second network device such as a STA.
[0031] According to a fifth aspect, this application further provides a network device.
The network device includes components such as a processor, a memory, and a transceiver.
The processor may execute a program or an instruction stored in the memory, to implement
the channel resource allocation method according to the implementations of the first
aspect.
[0032] According to a sixth aspect, this application further provides a computer storage
medium. The computer storage medium may store a program, and when the program is executed,
some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the channel resource allocation method
provided in this application may be included.
[0033] According to a seventh aspect, this application further provides a computer program
product that includes an instruction. When the computer program product runs on a
computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method steps in the foregoing aspects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0034] To describe the technical solutions in this application more clearly, the following
briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments.
Apparently, a person of ordinary skill in the art may derive other drawings from these
accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a spectrum that is used without authorization according
to this application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an unblocked transmission path according to an embodiment
of this application;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a blocked transmission path according to an embodiment
of this application;
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a channel resource allocation method according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of training a plurality of links by an AP according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of allocating slots to a plurality of links according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of allocating slots to a link 1 and a link 2 according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 8a is a schematic diagram of allocating a slot to a link according to an embodiment
of this application;
FIG. 8b is another schematic diagram of allocating a slot to a link according to an
embodiment of this application;
FIG. 8c is still another schematic diagram of allocating a slot to a link according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 9a is a schematic diagram of resource adjustment negotiated by an AP and a STA
according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 9b is a schematic diagram that an AP determines resource adjustment according
to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of single-group antenna transmission and multi-group
antenna reception according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of multi-group antenna transmission and multi-group
antenna reception according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device according to an
embodiment of this application;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a network device AP according to an embodiment of
this application; and
FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device according to
an embodiment of this application.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] To make a person skilled in the art understand the technical solutions in the embodiments
of the present invention better, and make the objectives, features, and advantages
of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following further describes
the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0036] Before the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are described,
an application scenario of the embodiments of the present invention is first described
with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions provided in the
embodiments of this application are applied to the millimeter-wave communications
field, and the millimeter-wave communications field includes the following features:
First, both a sending party and a receiving party need to concentrate energy in a
relatively small direction, and before communication, beamforming directions of the
sending party and the receiving party are aligned, so that link transmission has a
feature similar to optics. Second, a transmission path, namely, an LOS (Line of Sight,
line of sight), between the sending party and the receiving party needs to be unblocked.
[0037] A method provided in the embodiments of this application is applied to a WLAN network.
Specifically, the method may be applicable to an LTE (Long Term Evolution, long term
evolution) system or a wireless communications system that uses radio access technologies
such as code division multiple access and orthogonal frequency division multiple access.
In addition, the method may be further applicable to a subsequently evolved system
using the LTE system, such as 60G WiFi, a 5th generation (5G) communications system,
an NR (new radio, new radio) system, and an optical system.
[0038] The system includes at least one wireless device and at least one terminal device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless device is configured to communicate with at least
one terminal device. The wireless device, such as an AP (access point, access point),
establishes a plurality of transmissible links with one terminal device, such as a
station (station, STA), and maintains transmissibility of different links, so as to
implement fast switching with another link when a link is faulty subsequently, thereby
reducing a delay.
[0039] Further, the wireless device may be an access point (access point, AP), or may be
another network device, such as a base station, an enhanced base station, a relay
having a scheduling function, or a device having a base station function. The base
station may be an evolved NodeB (evolved Node B, eNB) in an LTE system, or a base
station in another system. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application.
[0040] The terminal device may be a mobile terminal, for example, a mobile phone (or also
referred to as a "cellular" phone), and a computer that has a mobile terminal. For
example, the terminal device may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer built-in,
or in-vehicle mobile apparatus, and the terminal devices exchange voice and/or data
with a radio access network. For example, the terminal device may be a device such
as a personal communications service (personal communication service, PCS) phone,
a cordless telephone set, a session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol,
SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, or a personal
digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA). The terminal device may alternatively
be a subscriber unit (subscriber unit, SU), a subscriber station (subscriber station,
SS), a mobile station (mobile station, MS), a remote station (remote station, RS),
a remote terminal (remote terminal, RT), an access terminal (access terminal, AT),
a user terminal (user terminal, UT), a user agent (user agent, UA), a user device,
or user equipment (user equipment, UE).
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, there is a stable line of sight direction between the wireless
device AP and the terminal device STA, in other words, there is a line of sight (line
of sight, LOS) between the AP and the STA. As shown in FIG. 3, because there is a
barrier between the AP and the STA, there is no line of sight between the AP and the
STA. A radio signal arrives at the AP through reflection or scattering from a surrounding
barrier. These reflection or scattering paths are non lines of sight (Non line of
sight, NLOS).
[0042] Before data transmission, according to the method provided in this application, a
plurality of links that support beamforming data transmission are trained between
a same pair of AP and STA, including the LOS and the NLOS. The method supports more
than two links and is not limited to requiring the LOS. In addition, the method provided
in the embodiments of this application may be applicable to device-to-device (device
to device, D2D) data transmission, for example, an AP and an AP, a STA and a STA,
and a STA and an AP. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.
[0043] In a data transmission process, the method may maintain transmissibility of a plurality
of links simultaneously, and dynamically adjust link resource allocation based on
real-time monitoring of a channel and data transmission. In each embodiment of this
application, an allocated link resource that is dynamically adjusted is a slot, and
a time-frequency resource is allocated in a time division duplex (Time Division Duplex,
TDD) manner. Optionally, the method may also be applicable to frequency (English:
frequency) and code (English: code).
[0044] When a fault occurs or transmission link sending is abnormal, for example, a link
shown in FIG. 3 is blocked, and this causes transmission signal quality to be degraded.
When a time-frequency resource is allocated, a time-frequency resource corresponding
to the link is allocated as far as possible to a link that is not faulty (for example,
the NLOS), thereby ensuring normal execution of an upper-layer service, and processing
and recovering a faulty link at the same time.
Embodiment 1
[0045] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment provides a method for allocating
a time-frequency resource on a millimeter-wave radio channel. The method includes
the following steps:
[0046] Step 101: A first network device AP establishes at least two links between the first
network device AP and a second network device STA, where each link supports beamforming
data transmission.
[0047] The AP may establish a plurality of beamforming links between the AP and the STA
through negotiation. Specifically, in a possible implementation, the AP broadcasts
a first message, where the first message includes capabilities of a plurality of beamforming
links supported by the AP. After receiving the first message, the STA feeds back a
response message to the AP, and the AP receives and interprets the response message
fed back by the STA based on the first message. Then, the AP establishes the at least
two links between the AP and the STA based on the response message.
[0048] In another possible implementation, the AP divides one physical STA into a plurality
of virtual STAs, and each virtual STA corresponds to one beamforming path, for example,
an LOS (set to a link 1) between the AP and the STA and an NLOS (set to a link 2)
between the AP and a STA* shown in FIG. 5. Each virtual STA obtained through division
is invisible to the AP, to be specific, the AP considers that each virtual STA is
an entity STA, and separately performs beamforming training with these entity STAs.
Similarly, one physical AP may be divided into a plurality of virtual APs, and a plurality
of beamforming links between each virtual AP and an entity STA may be trained.
[0049] The STA in the embodiments of this application may simultaneously train/trace a plurality
of links by using a virtualization technology. A key point of the virtual STA lies
in that a plurality of MAC addresses can be extended for a STA device, and all virtual
STAs can identify different data streams for a same device, and are externally represented
as a plurality of different devices. At an AP link layer, the AP and a plurality of
virtual STAs separately train links. Therefore, code at the AP link layer does not
need to be changed, so that the AP link layer can be quickly compatible with an existing
standard, to maintain barrier-free communication between the AP and the virtual STA.
[0050] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the foregoing two manners may be further
combined. To be specific, the AP may broadcast a capability of supporting link transmission
by the virtual STA, and separately perform beamforming link training by using the
virtual AP and the virtual STA.
[0051] Step 102: The first network device obtains a millimeter-wave radio channel resource
between the first network device and the second network device.
[0052] The millimeter-wave radio channel resource is a resource that can be allocated by
the AP, and the resource that can be allocated by the AP includes a time domain resource
and a frequency domain resource. Further, for the time domain resource, usually, the
AP divides the time domain resource into a plurality of beacon intervals (English:
beacon Interval) by sending a beacon (English: beacon), and the time domain resource
may be considered as a channel resource between the AP and the STA at a time interval
of each beacon interval. If the radio channel resource is a frequency domain resource,
an available frequency band may be first divided into frequency subbands, and then
a time domain resource is further divided on each frequency subband.
[0053] Step 103: Divide the radio channel resource into a plurality of slots, where each
slot is used for data transmission on one link, and two adjacent slots correspond
to two different links.
[0054] In a possible division method, the AP divides the radio channel resource into the
plurality of slots in a time division duplex TDD manner. As shown in FIG. 6, a time-frequency
resource is divided into several slots, and these slots are allocated to a link 1
and a link 2. Further, in a process of obtaining the plurality of slots through division,
the AP may first obtain reference information of the STA, then determines a slot length
of each link based on the reference information, and divides an entire time-frequency
resource.
[0055] The reference information includes at least one of the following: a signal-to-noise
ratio (signal to noise ratio, SNR), a packet loss rate, channel state information
(channel state Information, CSI), a channel quality indicator (channel quality indicator,
CQI), a data packet transmission delay, and quality of service (Quality of Service,
QoS) at a system layer and an application layer.
[0056] Step 104: The first network device transmits data on a corresponding link in the
plurality of slots, to maintain transmissibility of a plurality of beamforming links
between the AP and the STA.
[0057] Maintaining the transmissibility of the plurality of links may be understood as transmitting
different data in different slots obtained through division. To be specific, the slots
are allocated to different links for alternate use. For example, a slot 1 is used
to send data on the link 1, and a slot 2 is used to send data on the link 2.
[0058] Further, in an implementation of maintaining the transmissibility of the plurality
of links, the AP determines an optimal link in the at least two links and a slot corresponding
to the optimal link, and the AP sends first information in the slot corresponding
to the optimal link. The first information is used to perform channel estimation and
data monitoring on the optimal link. To be specific, the AP sends necessary information
on the optimal link, and sends second information in a slot corresponding to a link
other than the optimal link. The second information is used to maintain a heartbeat.
For example, the second information includes a preamble of a data packet, a heartbeat
packet/heartbeat frame, or the like.
[0059] It should be noted that in a process of maintaining transmissibility of each link,
the first network device may transmit same data or different data on the plurality
of established links. In addition, after dividing a time-frequency resource on a radio
channel into a plurality of slots, the first network device transmits data on the
optimal link, and may transmit data on another link or may not transmit data. This
is not limited in this embodiment. However, it should be ensured that when a primary
link (for example, the optimal link) is faulty or blocked, at least one standby link
can keep smooth communication to prepare for switching.
[0060] In addition, in step 104, the AP may alternatively maintain the transmissibility
of the plurality of beamforming links in a manner in which the TDD manner is combined
with a manner in which necessary data is transmitted on the optimal link. In addition,
data transmitted by the AP on different links may be from a same upper-layer service,
or may be from different services, or may be from a hybrid mode thereof. A specific
manner may be determined based on an actual situation. This is not limited in this
embodiment.
[0061] According to the channel resource allocation method provided in this embodiment,
the first network device divides the radio channel resource into the plurality of
slots, and different slots are used for data transmission on the different links.
Therefore, when detecting that a link at a current moment is faulty, the first network
device may transmit data in a next slot, so that the link is quickly switched to a
link that is not faulty. In this way, a link reselection process, a switching process,
and a connection establishment process are avoided, a delay caused by link switching
is reduced, and quality of service of a user is improved.
[0062] In addition, compared with a manner in which time-frequency resources on the entire
radio channel are allocated to one link for data transmission, in the method provided
in this embodiment, when a fault occurs, the link can be quickly switched in the slot
obtained through division to change a beamforming direction, so as to avoid wasting
the time-frequency resources corresponding to the entire link due to the fault. In
the method, time-frequency resources of a system are further saved while a delay is
reduced.
[0063] Optionally, in this embodiment, the foregoing method further includes a process of
dynamically adjusting channel resource allocation. Specifically, the method further
includes: The first network device AP obtains the reference information of the second
network device STA. The reference information may be obtained through negotiation
between the AP and the STA, or obtained by the AP through quality monitoring on each
link. Then, the AP adjusts, based on the reference information, a length of a slot
allocated to each link.
[0064] The reference information includes a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet loss rate,
channel state information CSI, a channel quality indicator CQI, a delay, quality of
service QoS at a system layer and an application layer, and the like. For example,
when the reference information is the SNR, a process in which the AP adjusts a slot
on each link includes: If the AP detects that an SNR on a link increases, a transmission
slot/time interval on the link correspondingly increases; or if an SNR decreases,
a slot/time interval on the link is correspondingly shortened.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, two beamforming links are established between an AP and a STA,
that is, a link 1 and a link 2. When a link is faulty, for example, the AP determines,
based on reference information, that the established link 1 (LOS) is faulty, a slot
allocated to the link 1 (LOS) is changed to a slot corresponding to the link 2 (NLOS)
that is not faulty. For example, a slot 1, a slot 3, and a slot 5 are used to transmit
data on the link 1, and a slot 2, a slot 4, and a slot 6 are used to transmit data
on the link 2. In a data transmission process, when it is detected that the link 1
is faulty or blocked at a moment t1, subsequent slots corresponding to the link 1
are allocated to the link 2, to avoid wasting the subsequent slots because the link
1 is faulty.
[0066] In this embodiment, when a fault occurs, a beamforming link is quickly switched by
changing a slot, to avoid reselecting a link to reestablish a connection, so that
an upper-layer service can be maintained continuously and without interruption.
[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, time-frequency resources on links in different beamforming
directions are dynamically adjusted by using the reference information, so that a
system delay can be reduced, and QoS quality of service can be improved.
[0068] Optionally, the method provided in the foregoing embodiment further includes: tracing
each beam, to maintain transmissibility of each link. For example, the AP and the
STA perform multi-beam direction tracing. A manner of implementing beam tracing includes:
[0069] The AP broadcasts a second message. The second message includes a capability for
tracing a plurality of beams supported by the first network device. After receiving
the second message, the STA feeds back a response message to the AP. The AP receives
the response message fed back by the STA based on the second message, and traces at
least one beamforming link between the AP and the STA based on the response message,
to trace and locate a location of the STA.
[0070] Alternatively, in another possible implementation, one physical STA is divided into
a plurality of virtual STAs, and each virtual STA corresponds to one beamforming path,
for example, an LOS of a STA and an NLOS of a STA* shown in FIG. 4. Each virtual STA
is invisible to the AP, to be specific, the AP considers that each virtual STA is
an entity STA, and separately performs beamforming training with these entity STAs.
[0071] Alternatively, the foregoing two manners are combined, to be specific, the AP broadcasts
support of the AP for the plurality of virtual STAs, and the virtual STAs separately
establish a link with the AP, to implement beam tracing.
[0072] It should be noted that in this embodiment, only three beam tracing manners are listed,
and another manner of implementing beam tracing may be further included. Specifically,
a proper manner may be selected based on an actual technical scenario to implement
beam tracing. This is not limited in this application.
Embodiment 2
[0073] In a specific embodiment, a channel resource allocation method provided in this application
is specifically described by using an example in which one AP allocates a radio channel
resource to one STA.
[0074] A plurality of links that support beamforming transmission are trained. The AP broadcasts
a capability of the AP for supporting a plurality of links, and separately trains
the plurality of links with the STA. To be specific, the AP and the STA learn each
other's capability of supporting transmission of a plurality of links, establish a
plurality of links between the AP and the STA, and correspondingly train these links.
As shown in FIG. 5, two links trained between the AP and the STA are a link 1 (link
1) and a link 2 (link 2) respectively.
[0075] The AP allocates the channel resource to the link 1 and the link 2. An implementation
includes: dividing, by the AP, the channel resource into different slots in a TDD
manner, where each slot represents a time interval, allocating each time interval
or slot to different links, and transmitting data on the allocated links to maintain
transmissibility of a plurality of links. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, different
colors and stripes represent slots allocated to the link 1 and the link 2, so that
an entire time-frequency resource is alternately used on the link 1 and the link 2.
[0076] Maintaining transmissibility of the link 1 and the link 2 specifically includes the
following three manners:
[0077] Manner 1: Data is transmitted on a plurality of links at the same time and is aggregated
at a data level. As shown in FIG. 8a, data to be sent by an AP to a STA is (1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7), and is sent by using two links (a link 1 and a link 2). After an available
time-frequency resource of the AP is divided into several slots, the AP sends data
(1, 2) to the STA in a first slot of the link 1, and sends data (4, 5) to the STA
in a second slot. Similarly, the AP sends data (3) to a STA* in a first slot of the
link 2, and sends data (6, 7) to the STA* in a second slot. For a receive end, the
STA and the STA* are actually a same device. Therefore, data (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
can be obtained through aggregation.
[0078] Manner 2: Data is transmitted only by using an optimal link, and another link is
only used to send necessary information for channel estimation and environment monitoring,
for example, a preamble is sent. As shown in FIG. 8b, the link 1 is used as the optimal
link, and is used to send the necessary information. Therefore, a length of a slot
allocated to the link 1 is relatively long, and a length of a slot allocated to another
link, namely, the link 2, is relatively short.
[0079] Manner 3: Data is transmitted only by using the optimal link, and another link is
only used to maintain a heartbeat. As shown in FIG. 8c, the link 1 is used as the
optimal link, and is used to send the necessary information. The link 2 is only used
to keep a link unblocked, and data may be sent on the link 2 or data may not be sent
on the link 2. Therefore, a length of a slot allocated to the link 1 is relatively
long, and a length of a slot allocated to a link used to maintain the heartbeat, namely,
the link 2, is relatively short.
[0080] A channel resource of each link is dynamically adjusted. The AP obtains reference
information of the STA, and adjusts, based on the reference information, lengths of
slots allocated to the link 1 and the link 2. The reference information includes but
is not limited to the following information: a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet
loss rate, channel state information CSI, a channel quality indicator CQI, a data
packet transmission delay, and quality of service QoS at a system layer and an application
layer.
[0081] When detecting that the reference information changes, the AP or the STA may adjust
the resource in a plurality of manners, thereby reducing a system delay and maintaining
service continuity and stability. In this embodiment, the SNR is used as the reference
information for description.
[0082] The AP may determine a next time interval based on a result of negotiation with the
STA, for example, slot lengths of the link 1 and the link 2 in a beacon period. Specifically,
the AP queries a size of a resource required by the STA, the STA performs corresponding
feedback, and the AP determines, based on a received feedback message of the STA,
a length of a slot allocated to each link.
[0083] For example, Query (query) 1: The AP queries the STA for a resource required by the
STA, such as a volume of data that needs to be transmitted and a time length.
[0084] Response (response) 1: The STA feeds back, based on an SNR detected on a current
link, the resource required by the STA to the AP.
[0085] Query (query) 2: The AP queries the STA* for a resource required by the STA*.
[0086] Response (response) 2: The STA* feeds back, based on the SNR of the current link,
the resource required by the STA* to the AP.
[0087] Assignment (assignment): The AP notifies, through broadcasting, the STA and the ST*
of a subsequent slot allocation situation, for example, start moments, end moments,
and duration of slots corresponding to the STA and the STA*.
[0088] ACK (Acknowledgement) (s): The STA and the STA* feed back an ACK response to the
AP. Optionally, the STA device may feed back a single ACK as an entity. Alternatively,
the STA and the STA* each feed back an ACK response message to the AP.
[0089] The AP determines, based on the result of negotiation with the STA or the STA*, lengths
of slots allocated to the link 1 and the link 2.
[0090] In addition, optionally, the AP may actively determine a length of a slot allocated
to each link.
[0091] For example, as shown in FIG. 9b, Assignment: The AP monitors quality of the current
link, such as an SNR, determines how many resources need to be allocated to the STA
and the STA* in a next allocated slot, and notifies the STA and the STA* in a broadcast
form.
[0092] ACK(s): To ensure that the STA or the STA* receives a message broadcast by the AP,
the STA and the STA* need to feed back an ACK to the AP, so as to indicate that the
STA and the STA* know a moment and duration of communication with the AP. Optionally,
in a process of feeding back the ACK to the AP, each virtual STA or STA* may be used
as an entity to feed back a single ACK, or may feed back the ACK separately.
[0093] The foregoing two slot allocation manners include determining, by the AP, slot allocation
through negotiation with the STA or determining, by the AP, slot allocation actively,
and are determined based on an actual technical scenario. Alternatively, the foregoing
two manners may be combined to dynamically adjust a time-frequency resource of each
link. This is not limited in this embodiment.
Embodiment 3
[0094] This embodiment extends Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and extends single transmission
and single reception in the foregoing embodiment to single transmission and multiple
reception, multiple transmission and single reception, and multiple transmission and
multiple reception between an AP and a STA.
[0095] Specifically, in an actual case, capabilities of the AP and the STA may not be fully
matched. In this case, a plurality of antenna arrays need to be configured for the
sending party AP to improve transmission stability. As shown in FIG. 10, that the
sending party AP has two groups of transmit antenna arrays, and the receiving party
STA has only one antenna array is used as an example.
[0096] The AP completes training of a plurality of links, such as LOS and NLOS paths, and
these links have transmissibility. In this case, transmitting, by the AP, data on
a corresponding link in a plurality of divided slots includes: selecting, by the AP,
one antenna array to communicate with the STA and transmit data, or transmitting,
by the AP, data to a second network device by using two or more antenna arrays.
[0097] Transmission mechanisms between the two or more antenna arrays include time division
multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, and spatial
multiplexing.
[0098] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, single antenna array transmission and
multi-group antenna array transmission may be combined to transmit data in a switching
manner, so as to establish a multi-link redundancy backup between the AP and the STA,
thereby improving link quality, such as an SNR and robustness.
[0099] Similarly, the method may further be extended to a transmission mechanism of multi-group
antenna array transmission and multi-group antenna array reception. As shown in FIG.
11, an example in which an AP has two groups of transmit antenna arrays (set to A
and B), and a STA has two antenna arrays (set to C and D) is used.
[0100] Two links, an LOS and an NLOS, that support beamforming are trained between the antenna
array B of the AP and the antenna array D of the STA, and correspond to a time-frequency
resource S1. Similarly, two links are also trained between the other antenna array
A of the AP and the antenna array C of the STA, and a corresponding time-frequency
resource is S2.
[0101] The AP separately allocates different slots to each link on the time-frequency resources
S1 and S2. Optionally, slots are divided at intervals on the time-frequency resource
S1 to a link 1 and a link 2, and slots are also divided at intervals on the time-frequency
resource S2 to a link 3 and a link 4. When the link 3 in S2 is blocked, in a next
slot, slots corresponding to the blocked link 3 are all allocated to the unblocked
link 4, thereby ensuring that data is transmitted without interruption, implementing
fast switching of beamforming links, and reducing a system delay.
[0102] Further, the antenna group arrays between the sending party and the receiving party
in this embodiment may be randomly arranged and combined. To be specific, any antenna
array of the AP may communicate with the two antenna arrays of the STA, or the two
antenna arrays of the AP may communicate with one antenna array of the STA at the
same time (as shown in FIG. 10 in Embodiment 2). Several feasible antenna array pairing
cases are listed below:
- 1. A-C and B-D or A-D and B-C.
- 2. AB-C and AB-D.
- 3. A-CD and B-CD.
- 4. A-C and AB-D or A-D and AB-C or B-C and AB-D or B-D and AB-C.
- 5. A-C and B-CD or A-D and B-CD or B-C and A-CD or B-D and A-CD.
- 6. A-CD and B-CD.
[0103] It should be noted that the antenna group pairing cases of the system formed by the
AP and the STA may be dynamically adjusted based on an actual situation. In this embodiment,
link training, maintaining of multi-link transmissibility, and a method for dynamically
adjusting link slots are similar to that in Embodiment 1. Therefore, details are not
described in this embodiment.
[0104] Corresponding to the foregoing method embodiment, an embodiment of this application
further provides a corresponding apparatus, such as a network device and a terminal
device, embodiment.
[0105] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The first network device is configured to
perform the channel resource allocation method shown in FIG. 4. The first network
device 120 may include an obtaining unit 1201, a processing unit 1202, and a sending
unit 1203.
[0106] The processing unit 1202 is configured to establish at least two links between the
first network device 120 and a second network device, where each link supports beamforming
data transmission.
[0107] The obtaining unit 1201 is configured to obtain a millimeter-wave radio channel resource
between the first network device 120 and the second network device.
[0108] The processing unit 1202 is further configured to divide the radio channel resource
into a plurality of slots, where each slot is used for data transmission on one link,
and two adjacent slots correspond to two different links.
[0109] The sending unit 1203 is configured to transmit data on a corresponding link in the
plurality of slots.
[0110] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the processing unit
1202 is specifically configured to divide the radio channel resource into a plurality
of slots in a time division duplex TDD manner.
[0111] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the processing unit
1202 is further configured to determine an optimal link in the at least two links.
The sending unit 1203 is further configured to: send first information in a slot corresponding
to the optimal link, where the first information is used to perform channel estimation
and data monitoring on the optimal link, and send second information in a slot corresponding
to a link other than the optimal link, where the second information is used to maintain
a heartbeat.
[0112] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the obtaining unit 1201
is further configured to obtain reference information of the second network device,
where the reference information includes at least one of the following: a signal-to-noise
ratio SNR, a packet loss rate, channel state information CSI, a channel quality indicator
CQI, a data packet transmission delay, and quality of service QoS at a system layer
and an application layer. The processing unit 1202 is further configured to adjust,
based on the reference information, a length of a slot allocated to each link.
[0113] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the obtaining unit 1201
is specifically configured to obtain the reference information by negotiating with
the second network device, or obtain the reference information by using a monitoring
result of quality of each link.
[0114] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the at least two links
include a first link and a second link. The processing unit 1202 is specifically configured
to determine, based on the reference information, that when the first link is faulty,
a slot allocated to the first link is changed to a slot corresponding to the second
link.
[0115] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the sending unit 1203
is specifically configured to broadcast a first message, where the first message includes
capabilities of a plurality of beamforming links supported by the apparatus. The obtaining
unit 1201 is specifically configured to receive a response message fed back by the
second network device based on the first message. The processing unit 1202 is further
specifically configured to establish at least two links to the second network device
based on the response message.
[0116] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the second network device
includes at least two virtual second network devices, and the processing unit 1202
is specifically configured to establish a link between the first network device 120
and each virtual second network device.
[0117] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the apparatus includes
at least one antenna array.
[0118] The sending unit 1203 is specifically configured to transmit data by using one antenna
array, or transmit data to the second network device by using two or more antenna
arrays, where a transmission mechanism between the two or more antenna arrays includes
time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, code division multiplexing,
and spatial multiplexing.
[0119] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the sending unit 1203
is further configured to broadcast a second message, where the second message includes
a capability for tracing a plurality of beams supported by the apparatus. The obtaining
unit 1201 is further configured to receive a response message fed back by the second
network device based on the second message. The processing unit 1202 is further configured
to trace the link based on the response message.
[0120] The apparatus or the first network device provided in this embodiment divides the
millimeter-wave radio channel resource into a plurality of slots, and different slots
are used for data transmission on different links. Therefore, when it is detected
that a link at a current moment is faulty, data may be transmitted in a next slot,
so that the link is quickly switched to a link that is not faulty. In this way, a
link reselection process, a switching process, and a connection establishment process
are avoided, a delay caused by link switching is reduced, and quality of service of
a user is improved.
[0121] In addition, when a fault occurs, compared with a manner in which time-frequency
resources of an entire radio channel are allocated to one link for data transmission,
in the manner in this embodiment, a link can be quickly switched to change a direction
of beamforming by using a divided slot, so that the time-frequency resources corresponding
to the entire link are not wasted due to a fault, thereby reducing a delay and saving
a time-frequency resource of a system at the same time.
[0122] FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment
of this application. The network device may be the AP in any one of the foregoing
embodiments, and is configured to implement steps of the method in the foregoing embodiment.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 13, the network device may include a transceiver 131, a processor
132, and a memory 133. The transceiver 131 may include components such as a receiver
1311, a transmitter 1312, and an antenna 1313. The network device may further include
more or fewer components, or combine some components, or have different component
arrangements. This is not limited in this application.
[0124] The processor 132 is a control center of the network device, connects all parts of
the entire network device by using various interfaces and lines, and performs various
functions of the network device and/or processes data by operating or executing a
software program and/or a module stored in the memory 133 and invoking data stored
in the memory 133. The processor 132 may include an integrated circuit (integrated
circuit, IC), for example, may include a single packaged IC, or may include a plurality
of packaged ICs having a same function or different functions. For example, the processor
132 may include only a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), or
may be a combination of a GPU, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor,
DSP), and a control chip (such as a baseband chip) in a transceiver. In various implementations
of the present invention, the CPU may be a single computing core, or may include a
plurality of computing cores.
[0125] The transceiver 131 is configured to establish a communication channel, so that the
network device is connected to a receiving device, such as a STA, through a network
channel, thereby implementing data transmission between the network device and a terminal
device. The transceiver 131 may include a communications module such as a wireless
local area network (wireless local area network, WLAN) module, a Bluetooth module,
or a baseband (baseband) module, and a radio frequency (radio frequency, RF) circuit
corresponding to the communications module, and is configured to perform wireless
local area network communication, Bluetooth communication, infrared communication,
and/or cellular communications system communication, such as wideband code division
multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA) and/or high speed
downlink packet access (high speed downlink packet access, HSDPA). The transceiver
is configured to control communication between all the components in the terminal
device, and may support direct memory access (direct memory access).
[0126] In different implementations of this application, transceivers in the transceiver
131 are usually presented in a form of an integrated circuit chip (integrated circuit
chip), and may be selectively combined without a need to include all the transceivers
and corresponding antenna groups. For example, the transceiver 131 may include only
a baseband chip, a radio frequency chip, and a corresponding antenna to provide a
communication function in a cellular communications system. For example, the terminal
device may be connected to a cellular network (cellular network) or the Internet (internet)
by using a wireless communication connection established by the transceiver, for example,
by using wireless local area network access or WCDMA access. In some optional implementations
of this application, the communication modules, for example, the baseband module,
in the transceiver may be integrated into the processor. A typical example is an APQ+MDM
series platform provided by Qualcomm (Qualcomm). The radio frequency circuit is configured
to send and receive information, or receive and send a signal in a call process. For
example, the radio frequency circuit receives downlink information of a network device
and sends the downlink information to the processor for processing, and sends uplink-related
data to the network device. Usually, the radio frequency circuit includes a well-known
circuit used to perform these functions, and includes but is not limited to an antenna
system, a radio frequency transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more
oscillators, a digital signal processor, a coder/decoder (codec) chipset, a subscriber
identity module (SIM) card, a memory, and the like. In addition, the radio frequency
circuit may further communicate with a network and another device through wireless
communication. Any communications standard or protocol may be used for the wireless
communication, including but not limited to a global system for mobile communications
(global system of mobile communication, GSM), a general packet radio service (general
packet radio service, GPRS), code division multiple access (code division multiple
access, CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple
access, WCDMA), a high speed uplink packet access (high speed uplink packet access,
HSUPA) technology, long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE), an email, a short
message service (short messaging service, SMS), and the like.
[0127] In the apparatus embodiment of this application, functions to be implemented by the
obtaining unit 1201 and the sending unit 1203 may be implemented by the transceiver
131 of the network device, or implemented by the transceiver 131 controlled by the
processor 132. A function to be implemented by the processing unit 1202 may be implemented
by the processor 132.
[0128] FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device according to
an embodiment of this application. The second network device may be the terminal in
any one of the foregoing embodiments, such as a STA, and is configured to implement
steps of the method in the foregoing embodiment.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 14, the second network device 140 includes a receiving unit 1401,
a processing unit 1402, and a sending unit 1403. In addition, the second network device
may further include another unit module such as a storage unit.
[0130] The processing unit 1402 is configured to establish at least two links to a first
network device, where each link supports beamforming data transmission.
[0131] The receiving unit 1401 is configured to receive information from the first network
device.
[0132] The sending unit 1403 is configured to send a response message to the first network
device based on the information, so as to maintain transmissibility of the plurality
of links.
[0133] Further, maintaining transmissibility of the plurality of links includes: receiving,
by the receiving unit 1401, first information from the first network device, where
the first information is used to perform channel estimation and data monitoring on
an optimal link; and on another link, receiving, by the receiving unit 1401, second
information from the first network device, where the second information includes a
preamble or a heartbeat packet/heartbeat frame used to maintain a heartbeat.
[0134] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the processing unit
1402 is configured to generate reference information, where the reference information
includes at least one of the following: a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet loss
rate, channel state information CSI, a channel quality indicator CQI, a data packet
transmission delay, and quality of service QoS at a system layer and an application
layer.
[0135] The sending unit 1403 is configured to send the reference information to the first
network device.
[0136] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the processing unit
1402 is further configured to: virtualize a plurality of STAs, and train/trace a plurality
of links simultaneously by using a virtualization technology. The processing unit
1402 is specifically configured to extend a plurality of MAC addresses, where each
MAC address corresponds to one virtual STA, and each virtual STA can identify different
data streams from each other, and externally appears as a plurality of different STA
devices.
[0137] Optionally, in a specific implementation of this embodiment, the receiving unit 1401
is further configured to receive a second message from the first network device, and
the processing unit 1402 is further configured to: generate a feedback response message
based on the second message, and send the response message to the first network device
by using the sending unit 1403, so as to implement beam tracing and slot allocation
of each link by the first network device.
[0138] In a specific hardware implementation, the second network device includes components
such as a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. Functions to be implemented by the
receiving unit 1401 and the sending unit 1403 may be implemented by the transceiver
of the terminal, or may be implemented by the transceiver controlled by the processor.
A function to be implemented by the processing unit 1402 may be implemented by the
processor of the terminal.
[0139] In specific implementation, this application further provides a computer storage
medium, where the computer storage medium may store a program, and when the program
is executed, some or all of the steps of the embodiments of the channel resource allocation
method provided in this application may be included. The storage medium may be a magnetic
disk, an optical disc, a read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), a random access
memory (random access memory, RAM), or the like.
[0140] A person skilled in the art may clearly understand that, the technologies in the
embodiments of this application may be implemented by software in addition to a necessary
general hardware platform. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions
in the embodiments of the present invention essentially, or the part contributing
to the prior art may be implemented in a form of a software product. The computer
software product is stored in a storage medium, such as a ROM/RAM, a hard disk, or
a compact disc, and includes several indications for instructing a computer device
(which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like) to perform
the methods described in the embodiments or some parts of the embodiments of the present
invention.
[0141] For same or similar parts in the embodiments in this specification, mutual reference
may be made between these embodiments. Especially, the foregoing embodiments are basically
similar to a method embodiment, and therefore are described briefly; for related parts,
refer to descriptions in the method embodiment.
[0142] The foregoing descriptions are implementations of this application, but are not intended
to limit the protection scope of the present invention.
1. A channel resource allocation method, wherein the method comprises:
establishing, by a first network device, at least two links between the first network
device and a second network device, wherein each link supports beamforming data transmission;
obtaining, by the first network device, a millimeter-wave radio channel resource between
the first network device and the second network device;
dividing the radio channel resource into a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is
used for data transmission on one link, and two adjacent slots correspond to two different
links; and
transmitting, by the first network device, data on a corresponding link in the plurality
of slots.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dividing the radio channel resource into
a plurality of slots comprises:
dividing, by the first network device, the radio channel resource into the plurality
of slots in a time division duplex TDD manner.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting, by the first network device,
data on a corresponding link in the plurality of slots comprises:
determining, by the first network device, an optimal link in the at least two links;
and
sending, by the first network device, first information in a slot corresponding to
the optimal link, wherein the first information is used to perform channel estimation
and data monitoring on the optimal link; and sending second information in a slot
corresponding to a link other than the optimal link, wherein the second information
is used to maintain a heartbeat.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises:
obtaining, by the first network device, reference information of the second network
device, wherein the reference information comprises at least one of the following:
a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet loss rate, channel state information CSI, a
channel quality indicator CQI, a data packet transmission delay, and quality of service
QoS at a system layer and an application layer; and
adjusting, by the first network device based on the reference information, a length
of a slot allocated to each link.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the obtaining reference information of the
second network device comprises:
obtaining, by the first network device, the reference information by negotiating with
the second network device; or
obtaining the reference information by using a monitoring result of quality of each
link.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least two links comprise a first link
and a second link; and
the adjusting, by the first network device based on the reference information, a length
of a slot allocated to each link comprises:
determining, by the first network device based on the reference information, that
when the first link is faulty, a slot allocated to the first link is changed to a
slot corresponding to the second link.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the establishing, by a first
network device, at least two links between the first network device and a second network
device comprises:
broadcasting, by the first network device, a first message, wherein the first message
comprises capabilities of a plurality of beamforming links supported by the first
network device;
receiving, by the first network device, a response message fed back by the second
network device based on the first message; and
establishing, by the first network device, the at least two links between the first
network device and the second network device based on the response message.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second network device
comprises at least two virtual second network devices; and
the establishing, by a first network device, at least two links between the first
network device and a second network device comprises:
establishing, by the first network device, a link between the first network device
and each virtual second network device.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first network device
comprises at least one antenna array; and
the transmitting, by the first network device, data on a corresponding link in the
plurality of slots comprises:
transmitting, by the first network device, data by using one antenna array, or transmitting
data to the second network device by using two or more antenna arrays, wherein a transmission
mechanism between the two or more antenna arrays comprises time division multiplexing,
frequency division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, and spatial multiplexing.
10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method further comprises:
broadcasting, by the first network device, a second message, wherein the second message
comprises a capability for tracing a plurality of beams supported by the first network
device;
receiving, by the first network device, a response message fed back by the second
network device based on the second message; and
tracing, by the first network device, the link based on the response message.
11. A channel resource allocation apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a processing unit, configured to establish at least two links between the channel
resource allocation apparatus and a second network device, wherein each link supports
beamforming data transmission;
an obtaining unit, configured to obtain a millimeter-wave radio channel resource between
the channel resource allocation apparatus and the second network device, wherein
the processing unit is further configured to divide the radio channel resource into
a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is used for data transmission on one link,
and two adjacent slots correspond to two different links; and
a sending unit, configured to transmit data on a corresponding link in the plurality
of slots.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
the processing unit is specifically configured to divide the radio channel resource
into the plurality of slots in a time division duplex TDD manner.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
the processing unit is further configured to determine an optimal link in the at least
two links; and
the sending unit is further configured to: send first information in a slot corresponding
to the optimal link, wherein the first information is used to perform channel estimation
and data monitoring on the optimal link; and send second information in a slot corresponding
to a link other than the optimal link, wherein the second information is used to maintain
a heartbeat.
14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein
the obtaining unit is further configured to obtain reference information of the second
network device, wherein the reference information comprises at least one of the following:
a signal-to-noise ratio SNR, a packet loss rate, channel state information CSI, a
channel quality indicator CQI, a data packet transmission delay, and quality of service
QoS at a system layer and an application layer; and
the processing unit is further configured to adjust, based on the reference information,
a length of a slot allocated to each link.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the obtaining unit is specifically configured to: obtain the reference information
by negotiating with the second network device, or obtain the reference information
by using a monitoring result of quality of each link.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least two links comprise a first
link and a second link; and
the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, based on the reference
information, that when the first link is faulty, a slot allocated to the first link
is changed to a slot corresponding to the second link.
17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein
the sending unit is specifically configured to broadcast a first message, wherein
the first message comprises capabilities of a plurality of beamforming links supported
by the apparatus;
the obtaining unit is specifically configured to receive a response message fed back
by the second network device based on the first message; and
the processing unit is further specifically configured to establish the at least two
links between the channel resource allocation apparatus and the second network device
based on the response message.
18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the second network
device comprises at least two virtual second network devices; and
the processing unit is specifically configured to establish a link between the channel
resource allocation apparatus and each virtual second network device.
19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the apparatus comprises
at least one antenna array; and
the sending unit is specifically configured to: transmit data by using one antenna
array, or transmit data to the second network device by using two or more antenna
arrays, wherein a transmission mechanism between the two or more antenna arrays comprises
time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, code division multiplexing,
and spatial multiplexing.
20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein
the sending unit is further configured to broadcast a second message, wherein the
second message comprises a capability for tracing a plurality of beams supported by
the apparatus;
the obtaining unit is further configured to receive a response message fed back by
the second network device based on the second message; and
the processing unit is further configured to trace the link based on the response
message.